Plastic pipe clamp



4 April 19, 1960 c, H. wEgBER ETAL 2,933,126

PLASTIC PIPE CLAMP 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 5, 1955 INVENTORS CLAUDE H. WEBBER FRANK H. M054 L 5/? BY M1440 W ATTORNEYS April 19, 1960 WEBBER ETAL 2,933,126

PLASTIC PIPE CLAMP Filed Oct. 5, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VE NTORS '4 CLAUDE/1. WEEBER .6 '6 FRANKHMUELLER ATTORNEYS April 19, 1960 c, wEBBER ETAL 2,933,126

PLASTIC PIPE CLAMP Filed Oct. 5, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS 4141/05 awe-055R FRANK H. MUELLER 2%), wyw

ATTORNEYS April 1960 c. H. WEBBER ETAL 2,933,126

PLASTIC PIPE CLAMP Filed Oct. 5, 1955 FIG] 7 8 s 94 7e 86 98 I04 78 4 76 .KJ W iffij.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 [1/ INVENTORS CLAUDE HWEBBER FRANK H. MUELLER ATTORNEYS Unite PLASTIQ PIPE CLAMP Claude H. Wehher, Tucson, Ariz., and Frank H. Mueller, Decatur, ill, assignors to Mueller Cm, Decatur, 111., a corporation of lllinais Application Qctoher 5, 1955, Serial No. 538,704

7 Claims. (Cl. 154=-1) This invention relates to clamps and more particularly to an improved clamp for use in attaching a plastic service T or other fitting, of the general type disclosed in the copending application Serial No. 410,587 of Frank H. Mueller filed February 16, 1954, now Patent No. 2,839,075, to a plastic main.

A fitting such as disclosed in the above entitled application, comprises in general, a service T having a flanged saddle for engagement with and solvent-welding to a plastic main and a closure and coupon-cutting plug operable to internally communicate the fitting with the main while the latter is pressurized. One of the difiiculties encountered in the use of this service T occurs because plastic mains when buried in the earth have a tendency to become squashed and semi-permanently deformed out of perfect roundness due to the weight of the earth above. When the main is out of perfect roundness, it does not perfectly mate with the flanged saddle of the fitting and hence, the solvent-weld between the fitting and main is detrimentally affected.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a clamp for use in solvent-welding a plastic fitting of the type described to a plastic main which will insure accurate mating between the flanged saddle of the fitting and the outer periphery of the main so as to enable the two parts to be securely bonded together. -Another object of the present invention is the provision of a clamp of the type described having an improved means for shaping a plastic main so as to bring it into perfect roundness and to externally secure the fitting in conformed engagement with the shaped portion of the main.

- With the use of the fitting disclosed in the above entitled application, it is necessary first to test the completed bond of the fitting to the main before the closure and coupon-cutting plug is operated. By the aid of the present invention, however, it is possible to operate the closure and coupon-cutting plug before the weld has actually set because of the insured firm engagement of the fitting and main afforded by the clamp of the present invention. In this manner, the present invention effects a saving in installation time over methods heretofore utilized.

Accordingly, a still further object of the invention is the provision of a clamp of the type described which is adapted to apply .a circumferential pressure around substantially the entire periphery of a plastic main to shape the same and bring it into perfect roundness and to mechanically secure the flanged saddle of a fitting in conformed engagement with the shaped portion of the main during the welding and coupon-cutting operations to therefore positively insure a firm welding bond and 2,933,126 Patented Apr. 19, 1960 ice also to make it possible to reduce the time heretofore required to complete the entire fitting attachment operation.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a clamp of the type described which is simple in operation, economical to manufacture and eflicient in use.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent during the course of the following detailed description and appended claims.

The invention may best be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein an illustrative embodiment is shown.

in the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a clamp embodying the present invention showing the same as applied to a plastic main and plastic service T;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the clamp shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view thereof;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the line r- 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing a modified embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line s s of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the clamp shown in Figure 5; and

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-8 of Figure 7.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown a fitting 1d, of the plastic service T type such as disclosed in the above mentioned application, bonded to a plastic main 11 with the aid of the clamp of the present invention. As set forth in the aforementioned application, the service T fitting 10 includes a main through bore having a flanged saddle 12 at the inlet end thereof provided with a lower, perfectly round concave, surface adapted to engage the periphery of the main, and a lateral branch pipe outlet 13 communicating therewith. A closure and coupon-cutting plug (not shown) is threadedly mounted in the main through bore for the purpose of internally communicating the fitting to the main while the latter is pressurized.

One form of the clamp of the present. invention is shown in Figures 14 and comprises a first clamping section 14 of semi-cylindrical shape, the inner surface of which, is adapted to engage the outer periphery of the plastic main 11 at a position substantially diametrically opposed to the engagement of the fitting 10 therewith. The clamping section 14 is preferably provided with three spaced parallel ribs 16 which serve to strengthen the section. Adjacent one side of the clamping section 14, there is provided a central apertured pivot lug 18 and pairs of spaced apertured pivot lugs 20 are disposed on each side of the central lug 18. The opposite side of the section 14 is formed into an outwardly extending flange 22 for a purpose which will become apparent hereinafter.

Connected to the first clamping section 14, adjacent opposite ends thereof, is a pair of complementary end clamping sections 24 which cooperate with the first clamping section to apply a circumferential shaping pressure throughout substantially the entire periphery of the plastic main ill adjacent both ends of the clamp. Each of the complementary clamping sections 24 includes a central rib 26, one end of which terminates in an apertured lug 28 arranged to be disposed between an associated pair of the spaced lugs 29. The opposite end of each of the clamping sections 24 is provided with an outwardly extending flange 3t adapted to register with the adjacent portion of the outwardly extending flange 22 of the clamp 7 ing section 14.

Disposed between the spaced clamping sections 24, is a fittin -engaging complementary clamping section 32 which preferablycomprises a pair of spaced ribbed arms 34 interconnected adjacent one end thereof as bya rigid transverse connectingmember 36. -Each of the ribbed arms 34 termin'atesin an apertured lug 38 adjacent the connecting member 36 and the opposite end of each arm is provided with an outwardly extending flange 40 having a pair of spaced, upwardly extending projections 42 there on for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

The clamping sections 24 and 32 have their respective lugs 28 and 38 pivotally connected with the lugs 29 and 13 respectively of the first clamping section preferably by means of a single pivot pin 44 extending through the registering apertures formed in the various lugs. The

outwardly extending flange 30 of each clamping section- 24 is connected with the adjacent outwardly extending flange 22 of the first clamping member by means of any suitable fastening means, suchas a bolt 46, extending through a suitable upwardly tapering aperture in the flange 22 and a registering slot 50 formed in the flange 3t and a cooperating nut 48.

The central portion of the undersurface of the arms of the clamping section 32 are preferably provided with cushion pads 52 of rubber or other suitable material which are adapted to engage the flanged saddleof the fitting. An upwardly tapering aperture 54 is formed in tne center of the outwardly extending flange 22 of the section 14 for receiving a bolt as, the upper end ofwhich carries a nut 58. A bar 6 is disposed above the flanges 4i on the arms 34 and bridges the space therebetween. The bar is provided with a central aperture 62 through which the bolt 56 extends and the nut 53 is preferably swivelly connected therewith by means of an integral annular skirt 63 extending through the aperture 62 and deformed outwardly against the undersurface thereof. In this manner, the bar is at all times interconnected withthe nut, but the latter is free to rotate with respect to the far to secure the sections 32 and 14 together.

In using the clamp of the present invention in conjunction with the solvent-welding of the fitting of the type described in the above mentioned application, the first clamping section 14 is first brought into engagement with the outer periphery of the main 11 in a position substantially diametrically opposed to the position where the fitting is to be engaged. The spaced complementary clamping sections 24 are then pivoted into engagement with the outer periphery of the main and the nuts 48 are tightened on the bolts 46 to bring the clamping sections into registry. If the plastic main has been squashed out of perfect roundness due to the weight of the earth above it during the time it was buried, the movement of the complementary clamping sections 24 into registry with the first clamping section will apply a circumferential pressure about substantially the entire periphery'of the plastic main so as to shape the same and bring it into perfect'roiindness. As can be seen in Figures 2 and '5, 1e portion of'the plastic main between the spaced sections 24 will be shaped into perfect'roundhess by the action of the clamping sections together so as to provide a surface which will perfectly mate and conform to the flanged saddle of the fitting 14.

An appropriate solvent is then applied to the shaped portion of the mainto be engaged by the saddle and to dotted lines in Figure 4, into'the full line position wherein the cushion pads 52 engage the flanges of the saddle 12. It will be noted that the arms 34 are spaced apart sufficiently to straddle the fitting during their pivotal movement into engagement with flanged saddle 12. The bar 6i) swivelly attached to nut 58 may then be centered between projections 42 and finally nut 58 is tightened to firmly secure the fitting into conformed engagement with the shaped portion of the main. In this manner, the portion of the plastic main which is solvently welded to the fitting presents a shaped portion positively held in perfect roundness which will conformingly engage the flanged saddle of the fitting over its entire surface thus insuring a firm welded bond throughout the entire area of mutual contact.

With the fitting applied to the main in the manner described above, the steps of testing the weld and sub sequently cutting out a coupon so as to internally communicate the fitting with the main may be carried out in the manner set forth in the above mentioned application.

A particular feature of the present invention is that obtaining a firm weld, it is possible to proceed immediately with the coupon-cutting operation after the fittinghas been suitably tested without the necessity of waiting until the weld has completely set. In other words, due to the presence of the clamp, it is possible to test the connection between the fitting and the main before the weld has actually set and to subsequently perform the coupon-cutting operation while the weld is setting if the 'test proves it to be leakproof. In this manner, the clamp of the present invention secures a saving in installation time over the procedures heretofore utilized.

In view of the above, it is preferable that the clamp remain in engagement with the main and fitting during the coupon-cutting operation, and after sufficient time is allowed to permit the weld to completely set, the clamp may be removed to be used in installing other fittings.

In Figures 5-8 there is shown a, somewhat modified form of clamp embodying the principles of the present invention. The modified clamp comprises a first clamping section 70 of semi-cylindrical shape, the inner surface of which is adapted to engage the outer periphery of the plastic main 11 at a position substantially diametrically opposed to the engagement of the fitting 1t) therewith. The clamping section 70 preferably includes a relatively, thin rib 72 disposed on each end thereof, and a relatively thick rib 74 is disposed on the central portion thereof. At one'side of the clamping section, the ribs 72 terminate in apertured pivot lugs 76 and a cooperating apertured pivot lug '78 is formed on the clamping section in spaced rela tion to each lug 76. The opposite side of the clamping section 759 is formed into a relativelyshort outwardly extending flange 89 and the adjacent terminal side of the ribs '72 project outwardly beyond the flange to form apertured pivot lugs 82. VA cooperating apertured pivot lug j 84 is formed on the clamping section in spaced relation to disposed on opposite ends of the clamping section 70 and cooperate therewith to apply a circumferential shaping pressure throughout substantially the entire periphery of the plastic main it in the manner previously indicated. These clamping sections are similar to the clamping sec-- tions 24 previously described and each includes a central rib 92, one end of which terminates in an .apertured pivot lug 94 arranged to be disposed'between an associated pair of cooperating pivot lugs 76 and 78. The opposite end of each clamping section 96 is provided with an outwardly extending flange 96 adapted to register'with the adjacent portion of flange 8i? and pivot lugs 82 and 84.

Disposed centrally betweenclamping sections 90, is a fitting-engaging complementary clamping section 98 whlch is similar to the section 32 previously described and mcludes a pair of spaced ribbed arms 100 interconnected adjacent One end thereof as by a rigid transverse connecting member 102. Each of the ribbed arms 102 terminates in an apertured pivot lug 1G4 adjacent the connecting member 102 and the opposite end of each arm is provided with an outwardly extending flange 1% having a pair of spaced, upwardly extending projections 1118 thereon, similar to the projections 42 previously described.

A' pivot pin 11f) extends through the registering apertures of lugs 76, 94, 78, 1M, and 86 so as to pivotally interconnect the complementary clamping sections 90 and 98 with the first clamping section 70. Lugs 94 of clamping sections 90 are rigidly secured to the pivot pin 110 by any suitable means, such as fastening elements 112 extending within registering holes formed in the lugs and the pin (Figure 7). In this manner, the clamping sections 90 are rigidly interconnected by the pivot pin so that the same are pivotal together. It will also be noted that fastening elements 112 serve to maintain the pivot pin in position within the various lugs interconnected thereby. Furthermore, it will be understood that the lugs 28 of the previously described clamp may likewise be rigidly interconnected with the pin 44, if desired.

A second pivot pin 114 extends through the registering apertures formed in lugs 32, 84 and 88 on the first clamping section 70. Secured to the pivot pin 114 between each pair of cooperating lugs 82 and 84 is an eyebolt 116 arranged to enter a cooperating tapered slot 118 formed in the flange 96 of the corresponding clamping section 90. Eye-bolts 116 are likewise rigidly connected with pivot pin 114 by any suitable means, such as fastening elements 120, which serve to connect the bolts, for pivotal movement together and to maintain the pivot pin in proper axial position. The upper end of eye-bolts 116 are threaded to receive cooperating nuts 122 which may be hexagonal in cross-section and provided with intersecting transverse tool slots at their upper ends. The use of these nuts is preferred since they enable the operator to use the same wrench, which he will use to drill theplastic service T to tighten the nuts. Moreover, since the nuts are made from hexagonal stock, an ordinary wrench could be used if the drilling wrench for the plastic T is not available.

As before, the central portion of the undersurface of the arms 100 of the clamping section 98 are preferably provided with cushion pads 124 of rubber or other suitable material which are adapted to engage the flanged saddle of the fitting. A central eye-bolt 126 is pivotally mounted on the pin 114 between lugs 88 and carries at its upper end a nut 128 constructed similarly to the nuts 122. A bar 130 is disposed above flanges 106 on the arms 100 and bridges the space therebetween. This bar is provided with a central aperture 132 through which the bolt 126 extends and the nut 128 is preferably swivelly connected therewith by means of an integral or rigidly connected annular skirt 134 extending through the aperture 132 and deformed outwardly against the undersurface of the bar in the manner previously described in connection with the clamp of Figures 1-4.

The clamp illustrated in Figures -8 operates in the same manner to effect an efficient union between the plastic main and the plastic service T as the clamp of Figures l-4. The clamp of Figures 5-8 is preferred, however, in that the same offers many operating advantages. For example, in the latter construction, the end clamping sections are effectively interconnected so that pivotal movement of one into its clamping position will also move the other into its clamping position. Moreover, by virtue of the eye-bolt construction, the two end sections may initially be secured in substantially clamped position by pivotal movement of either bolt. Furthermore the eyebolt construction permits easier operation since they may 6 be more easily positionedwithin their corresponding slots than the slidable bolts 50 of the embodiment of Figures 1-4.

It will also be noted that the arms 10 0 of the clamp of Figures 5-8 are constructed and positioned so as to allow the operator to more freely observe the joint between the saddle and the plastic main during the solvent welding operation so that he may see when the solvent is extruded at this point during the operation. In addition, the transverse connecting member 102 is likewise positioned to permit observance of the junction between the saddle and the main.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the preferred embodiment of the same and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. For use with a plastic fitting of the type having a flanged saddle for engagement with and solvent welding to a plastic main and a closure and coupon-cutting plug operable to internally communicate the fitting with the main while the latter is pressurized; a clamp for shaping the main to insure conforming engagement of the flanged saddle therewith and for securing the fitting in conformed engagement with the shaped portion of the main during the solvent-welding and coupon-cutting operations; said clamp comprising a first clamping section for engaging the outer periphery of the main in substantially diametrically opposed relation to the engagement of the flanged saddle therewith; second and third spaced complementary clamping sections carried by said first clamping section for engaging the outer periphery of said main on opposite sides of said flanged saddle; means on said spaced clamping sections for securing the same to said first section so as to apply a circumferential pressure about substantially the entire periphery of the main, to shape the same, and bring it into perfect roundness; a fourth clamping section carried by said first clamping section for straddling the fitting and engaging the flanged saddle thereof at spaced positions adjacent said complementary clamping sections; and means for securing said fourth clamping section in rigid relation with respect to said spaced clamping sections so as to secure the fitting to the main by engagement of said fourth clamping section with said flanged saddle; each of said secured means being releasable so that said clamp may be removed from the flanged saddle and the main after the solvent-welding and coupon-cutting operations have been completed.

2. A clamp for securing a fitting having a flanged saddle to a deformable main comprising: a first clamping section for engaging the outer periphery of the main in substantially diametrically opposed relation to the engagement of the flanged saddle therewith; second and third spaced complementary clamping sections pivoted at one end to said first clamping section for engaging the outer periphery of the main on opposite sides of the flanged saddle; means for securing the other end of said second and third sections to said first section so as to apply a circumferential pressure about substantially the entire periphery of the main, to shape the same, and bring it into perfect roundness; a fourth clamping section pivoted at one end to said first clamping section between said first pair of complementary clamping sections; said fourth section being arranged to straddle the fitting and having means for engaging said flanged saddle at spaced points adjacent said second and third sections, and means for securing the other end of said fourth section to said first section to secure the fitting to the main.

3. A clamp as defined in claim 2 wherein said fourth clamping section includes spaced arms rigidly intercom nected at said one end only.

4. A clamp as defined in clamp 3 wherein said means for securing the other end of said fourth section to said first section comprises a bar disposed above the other end of said arms bridging the space therebetween, and a fastening element extending between the central portion of said bar and said first clamping section.

5. A clamp as defined in claim 4 wherein the other end of said arms is provided with upwardly extending projections for receiving said bar therebetween.

6. A clamp as defined in claim 4 wherein said fastening element includes a nut swivelly connected with said bar.

7. A clamp as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for engaging the flanged saddle comprises cushion pads carried by said fourth clamping section. 1

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Frost -1 Mar; 15, 1910 Forgey Nov. 30, 1915 Mueller June 19, 1923 Ardner Aug. 21, 1923 Huetter' Apr. 20, 1926 Newlon Jan; 12, 1943 Goldman June 27, 1944 Luth et a1. Sept. 3, 1946 Smith Mar. 24, 1953 Smith July 30, 1957 

